Running deck with endless slat belt for treadmill and endless slat belt for same

ABSTRACT

A running deck includes a frame defining two opposing sliding surfaces, and an endless slat belt including a plurality of slats each having an inner surface slidably supported on the sliding surfaces of the frame and a plurality of knuckles arranged at opposing side edges thereof and a plurality of connection devices respectively mounted in the knuckles between each two adjacent slats to pivotally connect each two adjacent slats together. The knuckles at the two opposite side edges are arranged in a staggered manner so that the slats can be closely and pivotally connected to one another by the pivot connection devices, simplifying the structure, reducing the weight, and enhancing the overall sense of beauty.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to treadmill technology and moreparticularly, to a running deck equipped with an endless slat belt foruse in a treadmill. The invention relates also to an endless slat beltfor the running deck.

2. Description of the Related Art

U.S. Pat. No. 8,864,627 discloses a manually operated treadmill adaptedto generate electrical power comprising a treadmill frame, a runningbelt supported upon the treadmill frame and adapted for manual rotation,and an electrical power generator mechanically interconnected to therunning belt and adapted to convert the manual rotational motion of therunning belt into electrical power. However, due to the use ofinterconnecting members to interconnect belt components of the runningbelt and the arrangement of rollers in the treadmill frame, this designof treadmill has the drawbacks of having a large amount of componentparts and a complicated structure.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, Taiwan Patent M404030 discloses a treadmill,which comprises a support frame 11, two turntables 12 pivotally mountedin the support frame 11 and respectively disposed adjacent to opposingfront and rear sides thereof, and an endless slat belt 13 mounted aroundthe two turntables 12. The support frame comprises two reinforcing ribs111 located at the top side thereof. The endless slat belt 13 comprisesa plurality of slats 131, a plurality of links 132 respectivelypivotally connected between one respective end edge of each of twoadjacent slats 131 at each of two opposite lateral sides, a plurality ofrollers 133 respectively pivotally connected to the respective ends ofeach two adjacent links 132, and a plurality of screw bolts 134respectively and pivotally connecting the respective rollers 133 and therespective pair of links 132 to the respective slats 131.

When the endless slat belt 13 is driven to rotate by an external force,the rollers 133 can be smoothly and rotatably moved along thereinforcing ribs 111. Subject to meshing engagement relationship betweenthe turntables 12 and the endless slat belt 13, the endless slat belt 13can be smoothly rotated around the turntables 12. Thus, the rollers 133and the links 132 are interconnected to the slats 131, achieving astreamline configuration.

However, in the aforesaid prior art designs, since the rollers 133 andthe links 132 are interconnected to the respective opposite end edges ofthe slats 131, two large spaces must be respectively provided betweenthe two opposite inner sides of the support frame 11 and the end edgesof the slats 131 for accommodating the rollers 133 and the links 132without interfering with their movement. Thus, a large clearance d isleft between each end edge of each slat 131 and the support frame 11,making the overall appearance of the treadmill less aestheticallypleasing. Further, in order to mount the screw bolts 134, the thicknesst of the slats 131 must be relatively thick, and thus, the thickness andweight of the slats 131 cannot be minimized.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been developed in view of the above identifiedcircumstances. It is one of the main objects of the present invention toprovide a running deck with an endless slat belt for a treadmill, whichminimizes the thickness and weight of the slats of the endless slat beltthereof and has the characteristics of a simple structure with reducedthickness, light weight, and enhanced overall sense of beauty.

To achieve this and other objects of the present invention, a runningdeck comprises a frame and an endless slat belt. The frame comprises aplurality of opposing sliding surfaces. The endless slat belt isrotatably mounted around the frame, comprising a plurality of slats anda plurality of pivot connection devices interconnecting the slats. Eachslat comprises an inner surface slidably supported on the slidingsurfaces of the frame, and a plurality of knuckles arranged at twoopposite side edges thereof. The pivot connection devices arerespectively mounted in the knuckles of the slats to pivotally connecteach two adjacent slats together.

To achieve this and other objects of the present invention, an endlessslat belt for use in a running deck of a treadmill is provided. Therunning deck comprises a frame defining two opposing sliding surfaces.The endless slat belt comprises a plurality of slats and a plurality ofpivot connection devices. Each slat comprises an inner surface movablysupported on the sliding surfaces of the frame, and a plurality ofknuckles arranged at two opposite side edges thereof. The pivotconnection devices are respectively mounted in the knuckles of the slatsto pivotally connect each two adjacent slats together.

Subject to the arrangement of the pivot connection devices tointerconnect the slats for sliding along the sliding surfaces of theframe, the endless slat belt can be smoothly rotated around the frame.Further, the knuckles at the two opposite side edges of each slat arearranged in a staggered manner so that the slats can be closely andpivotally connected to one another, simplifying the structure, reducingthe weight, and enhancing the overall sense of beauty.

Other advantages and features of the present invention will be fullyunderstood by reference to the following specification in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, in which like reference signs denotelike components of structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a part of a treadmill disclosed in TaiwanPatent M404030.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of a part of the treadmill disclosed inTaiwan Patent M404030.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a running deck for treadmill in accordancewith a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a part of the endless slat belt of therunning deck in accordance with the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is an oblique top elevational assembly view of the running deckin accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional side view of the running deck inaccordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional end view of the running deck inaccordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a part of a running deck for treadmill inaccordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic sectional side view of the running deck inaccordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a running deck for treadmill inaccordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic sectional side view of the running deck inaccordance with the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of a running deck for treadmill inaccordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic sectional side view of the running deck inaccordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, a running deck with a slat belt for atreadmill in accordance with a first embodiment of the present inventionis shown. The running deck comprises a frame 2, an endless slat belt 3,and an ornamental holder shell 4.

The frame 2 comprises two opposite side panels 21 spaced from each otherat a distance, and a plurality of connection rods 22 connected betweenthe two side panels 21. Each side panel 21 defines a sliding surface 211around the periphery thereof.

The endless slat belt 3 is rotatably mounted around the frame 2,comprising a plurality of slats 31 and a plurality of pivot connectiondevices 32 interconnecting the slats 31. Each slat 31 is placed acrossthe side panels 21, comprising an inner surface 311 facing toward thesliding surfaces 211 of the frame 2, two opposing end edges 312, twosliding surface portions 313 defined on the inner surface 311 andrespectively abutted to the two end edges 312, two opposing side edges314, and a plurality of knuckles 315 respectively located on the sideedges 314 in a staggered manner so that the knuckles 315 at one sideedge 314 of one slat 31 can be set into axial alignment with theknuckles 315 at one side edge 314 of one adjacent slat 31. Further, thesliding surface portions 313 of the slats 31 are respectively slidablysupported on the sliding surfaces 211 of the respective side panels 21,e.g., using a low friction plastic material and/or lubricant, such asoil. Each pivot connection device 32 comprises a pivot pin 321 insertedthrough respective knuckles 315 of two adjacent slats 31 to pivotallyconnect the respective two adjacent slats 31 together.

The ornamental holder shell 4 comprises two opposite side covers 41respectively covered over respective outer sides of the side panels 21of the frame 2, a bottom plate 42 connected between the two side covers41 at a bottom side and adapted to carry the frame 2, and two top covers43 respectively connected with the respective top sides of the sidecovers 41 and respectively disposed adjacent to the end edges 312 of theslats 31 of the endless slat belt 3.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, when the endless slat belt 3 is driven tomove by an external force, the sliding surface portions 313 of the slats31 are moved along the respective sliding surfaces 211 around the frame2. Subject to the pivot connection relationship between the knuckles 315of the slats 31 and the pivot pins 321 of the pivot connection devices32, the endless slat belt 3 can be biased to mate with the curvature ofthe sliding surfaces 211. For example, the endless slat belt 3 isslidably engaged with the sliding surfaces 211, where the endless slatbelt 3 maintains engagement with the sliding surfaces 211 utilizing theuser's weight, and the curvature of the sliding surface 211 to make theendless slat belt 3 slide.

It is to be noted that, in this first embodiment, the endless slat belt3 is not driven by the electric power, and therefore, the aforementionedexternal force for driving the endless slat belt 3 comes from thetreading force when the user runs on the endless slat belt 3, however,this power source is not a limitation.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, a running deck with an endless slat belt fora treadmill in accordance with a second embodiment of the presentinvention is shown. This second embodiment is similar to the aforesaidfirst embodiment with the exceptions as outlined hereinafter.

Each pivot connection device 32 of the endless slat belt 3 furthercomprise two rollers 322 respectively pivotally mounted on two oppositeends of the pivot pin 321 thereof and respectively suspended outside thetwo opposite end edges 312 of the respective two adjacent slats 31.

Thus, when the endless slat belt 3 is driven to move by an externalforce, the rollers 322 of the pivot connection devices 32 that aresuspended outside the two opposite end edges 312 of the slats 31 aremoved along the respective sliding surfaces 211 around the frame 2.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, a running deck with an endless slat beltfor a treadmill in accordance with a third embodiment of the presentinvention is shown. This third embodiment is similar to the aforesaidsecond embodiment with the exceptions as outlined hereinafter.

The frame 2 further comprises two transmission wheel sets 23respectively pivotally mounted at the two side panels 21 at opposingfront and rear sides. Each transmission wheel set 23 comprises twotransmission wheels 231 respectively pivotally mounted at the respectiveinner sides of the side panel 21. Further, each side panel 21 comprisestwo sliding surfaces 211 located at the inner side thereof at differentelevations in a parallel manner.

The endless slat belt 3 is mounted around the transmission wheels 231 ofthe transmission wheel sets 23 in a way such that an inside of thetransmission wheels 231 is provided with a wall surface that can beleaned on so that the whole assembly does not rub against the ornamentalholder shell 4, e.g., reduces frictional engagement between the slatbelt 3 and the ornamental holder shell 4 and the slat belt 3 ismaintained on the transmission wheel 231, e.g., geared alignment such asteeth and grooves. Further, the rollers 322 of the pivot connectiondevices 32 are movable over the periphery of the transmission wheels231.

Thus, when the endless slat belt 3 is driven to move by an externalforce, the rollers 322 of the pivot connection devices 32 that aresuspended outside the two opposite end edges 312 of the slats 31 aremoved along the respective sliding surfaces 211 around the frame 2 andthe periphery of the transmission wheels 231.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, a running deck with an endless slat beltfor a treadmill in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the presentinvention is shown. This fourth embodiment is similar to the aforesaidthird embodiment with the exceptions as outlined hereinafter.

Each transmission wheel set 23 of the transmission wheels 231 of theframe 2 comprises a plurality of recessed portions 2311 spaced aroundthe periphery thereof.

The rollers 322 of the pivot connection devices 32 are configured tomesh with the recessed portions 2311 of the transmission wheels 231.

Thus, when the endless slat belt 3 is driven to move by an externalforce, the rollers 322 of the pivot connection devices 32 that aresuspended outside the two opposite end edges 312 of the slats 31 aremoved along the respective sliding surfaces 211 around the frame 2 andforced to rotate the transmission wheels 231 subject to the engageablerelationship between the rollers 322 of the pivot connection devices 32and the recessed portions 2311 of the transmission wheels 231.

Through the above description, some the advantages of the aforesaidembodiments can be summarized as follows:

Subject to the arrangement of the pivot connection devices 32 tointerconnect the slats 31 and to slide along the sliding surfaces 211 ofthe frame 2 and/or over the periphery of the transmission wheels 231,the endless slat belt 3 can be smoothly rotated around the frame 2. Itis important that the knuckles 315 at the two opposite side edges 314are arranged in a staggered manner so that the slats 31 can be closelyand pivotally connected to one another, simplifying the structure,reducing the weight, and enhancing the overall sense of beauty.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described indetail for purposes of illustration, various modifications andenhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention, where any of the various features can be combined withother embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limitedexcept as by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A running deck, comprising: a frame comprising atleast two opposing sliding surfaces; and an endless slat belt rotatablymounted around said frame, said endless slat belt comprising a pluralityof slats and a plurality of pivot connection devices interconnectingsaid slats, each of said slats comprising an inner surface slidablysupported on said sliding surfaces of said frame and a plurality ofknuckles arranged at two opposite side edges thereof, said pivotconnection devices being respectively mounted in said knuckles of saidslats to pivotally connect two adjacent slats together.
 2. The runningdeck as claimed in claim 1, wherein said frame further comprises twoopposing side panels and a plurality of connection rods connectedbetween said two side panels, each said side panel comprising twosliding surfaces located at an inner side thereof at differentelevations in a parallel manner
 3. The running deck as claimed in claim1, wherein said frame further comprises two opposing side panels and aplurality of connection rods connected between said two side panels,each said side panel comprising one of said at least two slidingsurfaces around a periphery thereof.
 4. The running deck as claimed inclaim 2, wherein each said pivot connection device of said endless slatbelt comprises a pivot pin inserted through the respective knuckles atone said side edge of one said slat and the respective knuckles at onesaid side edge of another said slat to pivotally connect the respectivetwo adjacent slats together, and two rollers respectively pivotallymounted on two opposite ends of said pivot pin and respectivelysuspended outside respective opposing end edges of the respective saidslats and slidably supported on the respective said sliding surfaces. 5.The running deck as claimed in claim 4, wherein said frame furthercomprises two transmission wheel sets respectively pivotally mounted atsaid two side panels at opposing front and rear sides, each saidtransmission wheel set comprising two transmission wheels respectivelypivotally mounted at said side panels at an inner side; wherein saidrollers of each said pivot connection device of said endless slat beltare respectively movable over a periphery of the respective saidtransmission wheels of said transmission wheel sets.
 6. The running deckas claimed in claim 5, wherein each said transmission wheel comprises aplurality of recessed portions spaced around the periphery thereof forengagement with the respective said rollers of said pivot connectiondevices.
 7. The running deck as claimed in claim 2, wherein said slatsof said endless slat belt are placed across said side panels, eachfurther comprising two sliding surface portions defined on the innersurface thereof and respectively abutted to two opposing end edgesthereof and respectively slidably supported on said sliding surfaces ofsaid side panels.
 8. The running deck as claimed in claim 2, furthercomprising an ornamental holder shell, said ornamental holder shellcomprising two opposite side covers respectively covering respectiveouter sides of said side panels of said frame, a bottom plate connectedbetween said two side covers at a bottom side and adapted to carry saidframe and two top covers respectively connected with respective topsides of said side covers and respectively disposed adjacent torespective end edges of said slats of said endless slat belt.
 9. Therunning deck as claimed in claim 1, wherein said knuckles at the saidtwo opposite side edges of each said slat are arranged in a staggeredmanner.
 10. An endless slat belt for use in a running deck of atreadmill, said running deck comprising a frame, said frame comprisingtwo opposing sliding surfaces, the endless slat belt comprising: aplurality of slats, each said slat comprising an inner surface movablysupported on said sliding surfaces of said frame and a plurality ofknuckles arranged at two opposite side edges thereof; and a plurality ofpivot connection devices respectively mounted in said knuckles of saidslats to pivotally connect each two adjacent said slats together. 11.The running deck as claimed in claim 10, wherein each said pivotconnection device of said endless slat belt comprises a pivot pininserted through the respective said knuckles at one said side edge ofone said slat and the respective said knuckles at one said side edge ofanother said slat to pivotally connect the respective two adjacent saidslats together, and two rollers respectively pivotally mounted on twoopposite ends of said pivot pin and respectively suspended outsiderespective opposing end edges of the respective said slats and slidablysupported on the respective said sliding surfaces.
 12. The running deckas claimed in claim 11, wherein said frame further comprises twotransmission wheel sets respectively pivotally mounted at said two sidepanels at an inner side at opposing front and rear sides, each saidtransmission wheel set comprising two transmission wheels respectivelypivotally mounted at said side panels; wherein said rollers of each saidpivot connection device of said endless slat belt being respectivelymovable over the periphery of the respective said transmission wheels ofsaid transmission wheel sets.
 13. The running deck as claimed in claim10, wherein said slats of said endless slat belt are placed across saidside panels, each further comprising two sliding surface portionsdefined on the inner surface thereof and respectively abutted to twoopposing end edges thereof and respectively slidably supported on saidsliding surfaces of said side panels.
 14. The running deck as claimed inclaim 10, wherein the said knuckles at the said two opposite side edgesof each said slat are arranged in a staggered manner.